While respecting the bacon-lovers among us, I am going to politely pitch sausage as the better of the two. Prepare to be convinced. (!!)

How often do you feel like going for a run after a nice sausage-packed brunch? Cue paradigm shift! I’m going to suggest the recipe that follows breaks all the traditional stigmas. I’m even going to suggest it’s a great pre or post-workout meal (yes!).

Rustic Lentil and Sausage Stew:

My family discovered this recipe years ago, as part of our obsession (read: fascination, glorification, fixation) with everything Italy. If only we were Italian. We’d fit right in (we think).

This is my take on Sausages and Lentils in the Style of Umbria, from Domenica Marchetti’s “Glorious Soups and Stews of Italy.” It’s a cookbook that’s truly worth it. I switched up the proportions a little for a higher lentil to sausage ratio and doubled the celery but my rendition is similar.